Apparatus for automatically registering and combining two sheet members

ABSTRACT

The apparatus includes first means for shifting one sheet member deposited askew on a conveyor, transversely of the latter until an edge of such one sheet member extending in the direction of feed of the conveyor is brought into alignment with a reference line offset from but parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the conveyor, and second means for searching in a direction longitudinally of the conveyor for such one sheet member in its shifted position on the conveyor while such one sheet is being conveyed to a place of registration, and for simultaneously transporting a second sheet member to such place of registration, and when said second means has found such one sheet member at the placed of registration and locked it in registration with the second sheet being transported, said second means deposits the second sheet member upon the first sheet member. Photocell units carried by the first and second means control the transverse shifting movements of the first means and search for the shifted first sheet member.

United States Patent [191 Faltot et a1.

[ 5] Dec. 24, 1974 1 APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERING ANDCOMBINING TWO SHEET MEMBERS [75] Inventors: Maurice J. Faltot, MorrisPlains;

Helmut Voltmer, Park Ridge, both of NJ.

[73] Assignee: NJM, Inc., Hoboken, NJ.

[22] Filed: Aug. 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 280,673

Primary Examiner-Charles E. Van Horn Assistant Examiner-David A. SimmonsAttorney, Agent, or Firm.lohn .1. Hart [5 7] ABSTRACT The apparatusincludes first means for shifting one sheet member deposited askew on aconveyor, transversely of the latter until an edge of such one sheetmember extending in the direction of feed of the conveyor is broughtinto alignment with a reference line offset from but parallel to thelongitudinal centerline of the conveyor, and second means for searchingin a direction longitudinally of the conveyor for such one sheet memberin its shifted position on the conveyor while such one sheet is beingconveyed to a place of registration, and for simultaneously transportinga second sheet member to such place of registration, and when saidsecond means has found such one sheet member at the placed ofregistration and locked it in registration with the second sheet beingtransported, said second means deposits the second sheet member upon thefirst sheet member. Photocell units carried by the first and secondmeans control the transverse shifting movements of the first means andsearch for the shifted first sheet member.

19 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU UEB24I9M 3.8563607 FIG.

PATENTEDUEEZMQM F 856,607

SHEET 2 or 6 FIG. 2

PATENTEB [M3824 I974 SHEET FIG. 7

WM F WRAPPER DRIVE /7/ 52 HYDRAULK; PU

SUFS

, LONGITUDINAL SEA RCH 609 NO 80X- NO DELwEmr CUTS VACUUM 0N1 Box,RELEASES CL TCH REVERSE BLDWING ONE REV.

CLUTCH WRAP VACUUM REVERSE BLOW VALVE SOLENOID LIFT c -r.

LATERAL. SEARCH PATENTEDBEB24I9T4 3. 856 .807

SHEET 5 BF 6 W i w i FIG. 8

HQW x 202 RESERVOIR APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERING ANDCOMBINING TWO SHEET MEMBERS THE INVENTION This invention relates toapparatus for automatically registering and combining two sheet memberssuch as a wrap sheet to the outer surfaces of a cardboard container.

The primary purpose ofthe invention is to provide an improved apparatusthat is capable of automatically and precisely registering two sheetmembers preparatory to combining them together and of effecting suchaccurate assembly at relatively high speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus ofthe indicated type which is rela tively simple in its construction andwhich can operate reliably for long periods producing accuratelyregistered and combined sheet members.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus ofthe indicated type capable of providing uniform handling andregistration of sheet members having widely varying lengths, widths, ordepth proportions.

Other objects of the invention, as well as the novel features thereofwill become apparent from a perusal of the following description whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings, which show by way ofexample a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in which FIG. 1shows in plan view a box wrapping system embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism for making a lateral search ofthe wrappers carried by the system conveyor;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the two devices whichconstitute the mechanism shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the mechanism for spotting a stayed box upon aregistered wrapper;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevational view of the apparatus foractuating the box transfer mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the essential elements containedin the electrical control circuit of the system;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the pertinent elements in the hydrauliccircuit of the system; and

FIG. 9 is a detail showing the connection of the apparatus in FIG. 6 tothe box transfer mechanism, the view being taken along the right side ofthe mechanism shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings the boxwrapping system depicted therein includes a gluer A of knownconstruction suitable for applying adhesive material to wrappers W forbox or container structures B. The gluer A delivers the wrappers W,coated face uppermost, to a conveyor C of known construction whichadvances the wrappers in a step-bystep fashion to a transfer station Dwhere the wrappers together with the boxes B deposited thereon aresuccessively carried by transfer mechanism E to a wrapping machine F.The boxes are successively deposited on the wrappers at an intermediatespotting station G during the periods of dwell in the step-by-step feedof the conveyor. The boxes B are fabricated in a box staying machine Hof any suitable known construction and having associated therewith asuitable conveyor I for feeding the stayed boxes B toward the spottingstation G. The conveyor I is provided with adjustable side guides l0, 10for the boxes carried thereby and such guides adjacent to the dischargeends thereof are provided with adjustably mounted box stops 11, 11. Theleading boxes successively engaging the stops 11, 11 are successivelytransferred by box transporting apparatus J to the wrappers successivelystopping at spotting station G.

The wrap conveyor C is preferably of the type disclosed in the Wolff etal. Pat. No. 2,958,267, dated Nov. l, 1960 and generally comprises anelongated suction box or chamber 12, in FIG. 3, provided with a flat,perforated upper wall 13 and in communication with any suitable sourceof suction such as the suction side of a blower. The upper wall 1.3supports the upper run 14 of an endless belt provided with perforations15. Accordingly, during operative periods of the machine, the suctiondeveloped in the suction box 12 will be ef fective at the wrappercarrying surface of the conveyor through the perforations 15 of theupper run 14 of the conveyor belt as it travels over the perforatedsupporting wall 13. The suction so developed at the carrying surface ofthe upper belt run 14 is a relatively light suction which is sufficientto maintain the wraps in flat tened condition and to hold them on theupper run 14 in the positions in which they are placed by the gluer A.Such suction, may be made insufficient to interfere materially with theslidable lateral shifting movement which is successively imparted to thewraps in order to reposition them accurately on the upper run 14 priorto their reaching the spotting station G, as will be presentlyexplained, but preferably in accordance with the invention such suctionis sufficient to positively secure the wraps on the conveyor run 14 andis temporarily reduced at the place where such shifting operation takesplace as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

As will be noted from FIG. 1 of the drawings, the mechanism K forlaterally or transversely shifting the wraps on the upper conveyor run14 form with the box transporting mechanism J the apparatus foraccurately orienting and uniting together the wraps W and the boxes B.The mechanism K is spaced upstream from the mechanism J the distancethat a wrap is carried by the conveyor run 14 in one movement of thelatter so that in one dwell period a wrap pauses before the mechanism Kand in the next successive dwell period pauses before the mechanism J.As will be observed in FIGS. l-3 of the drawings, the mechanism K iscomposed of two spaced lateral searching devices generally designated 20and 21 and of similar construction ex cept in the few particularshereinafter pointed out. Accordingly, except for such particulars, adetailed description of one of such devices 20 and 21 will suffice as adescription of both of them.

Referring now more particularly to the lateral search devices 20 and 21shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, it will be noted that each ofsuch devices 20 and 21, comprise a supporting block 22 having sideflanges 23 provided with depending guide members 24 that are slidablyreceived in guide slots 25 extending longitudinally in a track member 26secured to a fixed frame member 27 in any suitable fashion. The trackmember 26 is positioned on the machine parallel to the longitudinalcenterline 28-28 of the conveyor so that the block 22 is adjustablethereon in the direction of such centerline as indicated by the arrows30 in FIG. 2. The block 22 is secured in adjusted position in anysuitable fashion as by the bolts 29. The upper end of the supportingblock 22 is provided with a seat 34 to which is fixedly secured by bolts36, a rod 35 that is disposed laterally to the longitudinal conveyorcenterline 28-28. Clamped to the end of the fixed rod 35 projectingrearwardly from the seat 34, as by means of a bracket 37, is the rearend of a hydraulic cylinder 38 disposed in parallelism to the rod 35supporting the same. The advanced end of the piston rod 39 of thehydraulic cylinder 38 is clamped to a bracket 40 that is slidablymounted on the other end of the fixed rod 35 projecting forwardly fromthe seat 34. The bracket 40 is also secured to a rod 41 which extendsthrough and is slidably supported by the block 22. The slidable rod 41is disposed parallelly to the fixed rod 35 and laterally or transverselyto the centerline 28-28 of the conveyor. The forward end of the rod 41extends beyond the bracket 40 and part way over the upper run 14 of theconveyor belt so as to be in spaced parallel relation to such belt run.It will accordingly be understood that as a result of this arrangement,the hydraulic cylinder 38 which is fixed to the frame of the machinethrough the rod 35, seat 34 and the block 22, will when actuated,slidably reciprocate the rod 41 laterally across the upper run 14 of theconveyor belt.

Mounted on the forward end of each slidable rod 41 in the devices 20,21, is a block 45 having fixed thereto an upright support member 46, tothe upper end of which is pivotally connected one end of a lever arm 47.Connected to the arm 47 intermediate its length is the upwardlyprojecting end of the core 48 of a solenoid 49 mounted on the block 45and connected in a control circuit so as to pull down the lever arm 47when energized. Connected to the outer end of the lever arm 47, as by apin and slot connection 50, is a straight vertical rigid tube 51. Theupper end of the tube 51 is connected by flexible tubing 52 to asuitable source of vacuum. The lower end of the tubing has mountedthereon a suction cup 53 made of any suitable material nonadherent tothe adhesive on the wrapper W, such as Teflon. The tubing 51 extendsfreely through openings in the plate-like legs 59 and 60 of a forkedmember which is designated 61 in the device and 62 in the device 21. Aspring 57 and a collar 58 located between the legs 59 and 60 normallybias the tubing 51 to a raised position. The spring 57 is seated on thelower leg 59 and at its upper end seats against the coller 58 which issecured to the tubing 51. The upper leg 60 of the forked member, as isshown in FIG. 3, functions as a stop to the upward biased movement ofthe collar 58 and consequently of the tubing 51 under the tension ofspring 57. The upper forked legs 60 are provided with integral verticalextensions 63, 63 to which are secured a horizontal strut member 64which ties the two search devices 20, 21 together. The forked members 61and 62 are mounted for pivotal movement about vertical axes 65 on theforward ends of the blocks 45. It will be observed in FIG. 2 of thedrawings that the connection of the forked member 61 with its associatedblock 45 is such that the pivotal axis 65 thereof is a fixed axis, whilethe pin connecting the forked member 62 with its associated block 45 ismounted in an elongated opening 66 which permits pivotal movement ofsuch member without binding which might otherwise occur because of theconnection of the two forked members by the strut 64. The blocks 45 eachalso carry a photocell sensing device 68, the light beam 69 of which isdirected vertically toward the upper run 14 of the conveyor belt. Theaxes of the two light beams 69 coincide with the vertical axes 65 of theforked members 61 and 62 throughout the movements of such forkedmembers, whereby the beams 69 and axes 65 will remain fixed relative toeach other and will not move off the edge 70 of such sheet during therelative movements of the two devices 20 and 21.

It will be understood from the aforesaid description of the lateralsearching mechanism K, that the two devices 20, 21 forming suchmechanism start from a retracted position in their search for a wrapperW on the upper conveyor run 14. When the wrapper has been found by thedevices 20, 21 and shifted laterally on the conveyor run as they returnto retracted condition, the relation of the light beams 69 with thesuction cups'53 on these devices is such that in the retracted conditionof the devices 20, 21, the longitudinal edge 70 of a shifted wraplocated at the lateral searching station (see FIGS. l-3) will have beenshifted into aligned registry with a given imaginary reference line71-71 offset from and parallel to the longitudinal centerline 28-28 ofthe conveyor C. As indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the wrapssupplied to the conveyor belt by the gluer A are not deposited on theconveyor in accurate position for combination with a box B but aredeposited thereon in a random askew fashion depending on the conditionsprevailing during the deposition thereof. It has been determined fromexperience that the longitudinal centerlines of such askewed wraps areusually within an inch and a half transverse range starting at thelongitudinal centerline 28 of the conveyor and extending forwardly fromsuch centerline so that the longitudinal centerline 31-31 of such rangeis disposed about three-fourths inch to the right of the conveyorcenterline 28-28, as viewed in FIGS. 1-3.

In order to provide an adequate distance in which the light beams oreyes 69 may start their search for wraps within such 1 /2 inch range ofsearch and to enable the eyes to find the edge 70 of any wrap whichmight be slight beyond the longitudinal edges of such range, thedistance through which the eyes make their search is extendedtransversely about one quarter inch on both sides of such range so thatthe transverse range of search of the eyes is about 2 inches. Further,the eyes 69 and the suction cups 53 are so located on the devices 20,21that when the latter are in their retracted positions with the wraprepositioned so that its edge 70 is in registry with the reference line71-71, the centerline 31-31 of such searching range will also be shiftedto about Ainch to the left of the conveyor center-line 28-28 as viewedin FIGS. 1-3, i.e., to the line 31'31'. This means that the referenceline 71-71 which is set at a distance equal one-half of the wrap widthfrom the line 31' 31' will be spaced from the conveyor centerline 28-28a distance at least greater than 1 inch for wraps 2 inches wide orgreater. In other words, the

location of the reference line 71-71 with reference to the centerline28-28 will depend on the width of the size of wrap which is beingregistered so that its centerline coincides with line 31-31'. As aresult of this arrangement, the devices 20, 21 will be able to bringmost wraps deposited by the gluer onto the conveyor into properregistration at the searching station.

The few wraps that are deposited on the conveyor by the gluer so as tobe outside of the selected range will be advanced past the wrapsearching station and the box spotting station G without a box beingapplied thereto and will be discarded.

When the wrap W that has been deposited in an askew condition on theconveyor by the gluer arrives at the wrap searching station, bothdevices 20 and 21 are advanced simultaneously from their retractedpositions by the hydraulic cylinders 38 and 38, respectively. The firstbeam or eye 69 on such devices that finds the longitudinal edge 70 ofthe wrap causes the device carrying the photosensor 68 which emits suchbeam to be stopped in its searching forward movement, while the otherdevice continues to move its beam 69 forwardly in its search for thewrap edge 70. When both lateral search devices 20 and 21 have completedtheir search for the wrap edge 70, vacuum is supplied to the vacuum cups53 thereof and at the same time the solenoids 49 are energized to lowerthe vacuum cups to a position just short of contact with the wrap. Bystop ping the downward movement of the vacuum cups just short of contactwith the wrap, allowance is made for any distortions that might bepresent in the paper material constituting the wrap and which mightinterfere with the operations of the suction cups if such distortionswere contacted by the latter. The suction provided in the suction cups53 is sufficient to pick up the portions of the wrap underlying thesame.

The devices 20 and 21 are now actuated to retract the suction cups 53laterally of the conveyor run 14 to positions in which the edge 70 ofthe wrap is brought into aligned registry with the longitudinalreference line 7171. In accomplishing this operation the suction cups 53will remain in their lowered positions in which they are slightly spacedabove the carrying surface of the upper conveyor belt run 14 and willmerely shift the wrap on the conveyor belt to bring the edge 70 thereofinto the said registered position. During such shifting movement of thewrap a damper 72 in the conveyor box 12 comes into operation to reducethe vacuum exercised on the wrap through the belt run 14 and therebyfree it sufficiently to enable the suction cups 53 to accomplish suchshifting movement of the wrap without changing the relationship of thesuction cups 53 to the edge 70 of the wrap gripped thereby.

As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the damper 72 is mountedfor pivotal movement about a fixed axis 72 and is actuated by camcontrolled means 71 from the transfer mechanism E. During thestep-bystep movements of the conveyor C, the damper 72 is maintained inan opened position to permit a portion 12 of chamber 12 located in theregion of the lateral searching apparatus K to be in communication withthe source of suction. The chamber portion 12' is formed by a downstreampartition 73 and an upstream partition 74 extending transversely of thechamber or box 12, and such chamber portion underlies the portion of thebelt run which will be located in the region of the lateral searchingapparatus K during the dwell periods of the conveyor C. The partition 74is provided with a centrally located opening 74' which is closed by thedamper 72 during each dwell period of the conveyor so as to reduce butnot eliminate the vacuum in the chamber portion 12 and thereby to effecta reduction in the hold exercised on the wrap through the belt run 14during the shifting thereof into registered position. It will beunderstood that while the partition 73 seals one end of the chamber 12,the chamber 12 extending downstream from such partition will still be incommunication with a source of vacuum to exercise a control over theregistered wrap. When the edge of the wrap is brought into registrationwith the imaginary reference line 7171, the vacuum to the suction cups53 is broken and compressed air is introduced to blow the wrap back ontothe conveyor run 14. Soon thereafter, the so lenoids 49 are deenergizedto enable the springs 57 to lift the lever arms 47 to raise the suctioncups. The vacuum effected through the upper belt run 14 on therepositioned wrap will retain it in its new position during its travelto the box spotting station (5.

The mechanism at the spotting station G for removing a box B from theconveyor 1 of the staying machine 11 and depositing it upon a registeredwrap W comprises a frame having two spaced side arms 75. 75 mounted forpivotal movement about a pivotal axis 76-76. The frame further includesa rear tie bar 77 located adjacently forward of and parallel to thepivotal axis 76-76 and fixedly secured to the side arms 75. 75'.Rotatably mounted on the forward free ends of the side arms 75, 75' is ahollow shaft 78 connected by a passageway provided in arm 75 andcommunicating with flexible tubing 79 which is attached to the hollowpivotal shaft 80 on which such arm is mounted and which is connected toa suitable source of vacuum. Adjustably mounted on the rotatable shaft78 and in communication with the interior thereof are two units 81, 81each having a pair of depending suction cups 82. Rotatable movement isimparted to shaft 78 through a sprocket 83 secured to the end of suchshaft projecting beyond the arm 75, a chain 84, and a sprocket 85 fixedto a hub provided on the bearing support member 98. It will thus be seenthat as the arms 75, 75' are pivoted about their axis 76, 76, thesprocket fixed to support member 98 and having an axis common to axis76, 76 will through chain 84 rotate sprocket 83 and consequently shaft78. Therefore, a box B which is being carried by the suction cupsprovided on shaft 78 will be maintained in a horizontal position as thearms 75, 75' swing forwardly from the staying conveyor I to the upperrun 14 of the conveyor C.

The shaft 80 which rotatably supports arm 75 is mounted in a bearingprovided in a forward projecting support member 91 attached at its rearend to one end of a slide 92 slidably mounted on rails 93 for movementparallel to the longitudinal centerline 28-28 of the conveyor C. Asshown more clearly in FIG. 5, the slide rails or rods 93 are supportedat their ends by members 94 secured to the frame of the machine.Longitudinal sliding movement is imparted to the slide 92 by a hydrauliccylinder 95 secured to the frame of the machine and having its pistonrod connected to a suitable ear provided on the slide 92. The forwardend of the member 91 also coacts with an adjustable stop 96 provided onarm 75 to limit the forward swinging movement of the frame toward theupper belt run 14 and thereby to control the position of the suctioncups 82 relative to such belt run at the end of the forward swingingmovement of such frame.

Attached to the other end of the slide 92 is a second forwardlyprojecting support member 97 provided with a bearing support 98 for theshaft 99 pivotally supporting the slide frame arm 75'. The member 97 isprovided at its forward end with a latch member 100 adapted to be movedunder the arm 75' to prevent the latter from completing its forwardswing in the event a registered wrap is not found at station G. Theoperation of the latch member 100 is controlled by a solenoid 101 thecore of which is connected to latch member 100 and moves the latteracross the path of movement of the arm 75 when the solenoid 101 isenergized.

The swinging movements of the frame are effected through mechanismassociated with the frame arm 75. Such mechanism comprises a segmentedgear wheel 105 engaged by a vertically disposed rack 106 and secured toshaft 99 by spring loaded means which may constitute at least one lever104 secured to shaft 99 and connected by a spring 103 to a pin 102provided on gear wheel 105, the rotational movement of the lever 104-and consequently of shaft 99, relative to gear wheel 105 beingrestricted by a stop 102 provided on gear wheel 105. The arrangement ofsuch spring loaded means is such that when the rack 106 is in its upwardstroke, i.e., rising, it positively drives shaft 99 through gear wheel105, stop 102' and lever 104, with the spring 103 in its normalcondition. When the forward stroke or travel of arm 75' is restrained bythe solenoid latch 100 is previously explained, the spring 103 isstretched and permits an overstroke of gear wheel 105 thereby enablingthe rack 99 to continue its upward movement to complete its stroke,without damage resulting from such stoppage of the arm 75. As is shownmore clearly in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the rack 106 is secured to theupper end of a bar 107 to which is pivotally connected by suitablebearings provided in the spaced bearing arms 108, 108 of a hinge member109 which forms part of an articulated or universal joint. The hingemember 108 is also pivotally connected by bearings in the spaced bearingarms 110, 110 thereof to the ends of a coupling or hinge pin 111 carriedby the arms 112, 112 of a hinge member 113 secured to the upper end ofacam rod 114. The cam rod is guided in its vertical movements by a guide127 in FIG. i4, secured to the frame of the machine. The cam rod 114 isprovided at its lower end with a crosshead 115 slidably connected to twoparallelly spaced guide rods 116, 116 secured to the frame of themachine. Engaged with the transverse slot of the crosshead 115 is aslide block 117 provided on the outer end of a crank arm 118 secured toone end of a shaft 119. Also secured to shaft 119 is a gear wheel 120which is connected by a chain 121 to a gear wheel 122 secured to adriven shaft 123. Shaft 123 is driven through a gear 124 secured theretoand meshing with a gear 125 mounted on a constantly rotating shaft 126.The gears 125,124 are designed to provide a 2:1 reduction, while thegear wheel 122, chain 121 and gear wheel provide a 3:1 reduction. Thus,while shaft 125 rotates at six revolutions per cycle of operation of themachine, shaft 119 will rotate at one revolution per cycle. During thisone cycle revolution of shaft 119, the cam rod 114 will be raised andlowered to raise and lower, respectively, the rack 106 and therebythrough gear wheel 105 and shaft 99 to advance and retract,respectively, the side arms 75, 75 of the spotter frame. Due to thecrosshead connection of the cam rod 114 with the crank arm 118, and thearticulated joint connection between such crank arm 118 and the rack106, the rack will be provided with a constant straight verticalmovement throughout the entire revolution of the crank arm 118 and thelongitudinal movement of slide 94 parallel to the longitudinalcenterline 28-28 of the conveyor C. As a result of this arrangement thestroke of the rack 106 will at all times be constant and accurate.

It will be noted more clearly in FIG. 4 of the drawings, that the slide92 also carries a forwardly projecting bar 130 on the outer or forwardend of which is mounted a photo-electric sensor unit 131 having a beam132, in FIG. 5, which searches for the upstream edge 133 of a registeredwrap W. The bar 130 is located between the frame side arm and the framevacuum unit 81 so that the beam 132 of the sensor unit 81 will bepositioned a given distance X upstream from the upstream vacuum cup ofsuch unit 81. The sensor unit 131 is movably connected to the bar by amicrometer adjustment device 134 so that such given distance X can bedetermined with great exactness. A course adjustment of the sensor beam132 with relation to the upstream vacuum cup of unit 81 is made byadjustment of the bar 130 with relation to the slide 92. As is shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the bar 130 is mounted on a slide 135mounted on a tubular beam 136 of rectangular shape secured to the slide92. The top wall of the beam 136 is slotted longitudinally to providerails for the slide 135 which is secured in an adjusted position on suchrails by bolts 137 extending through such longitudinal slot andthreadedly engaged with a plate 138 located within the beam 136.

It will be understood from the foregoing that as a wrap W registered bythe lateral searching apparatus K moves downstream from such apparatustoward the box spotting station G, the frame side arms 75, 75' will bein a retracted position with the vacuum cups 82 located within theforemost box B on the staying machine conveyor I and accuratelypositioned thereon for receipt of such cups by the adjustable stops 11in the previous cycle of the machine. During such downstream movement ofthe wrapper, vacuum will be furnished to the cups 82 enabling them topick up the box, and the rack 106 will be raised in the mannerpreviously explained to swing the frame arms 75, 75' forwardly. Duringsuch swinging movement of the arms, the shaft 78 will be correspondinglyrotated in the manner previously explained so that the bottom of the boxis maintained in a horizontal plane throughout the extent of suchmovement. The swinging movement of the arms will be continued until thebottom of the box is placed on the wrap under pressure provided the wrapis there in properly registered position to receive the box. Due to thefact that the box is held by suction cups 82 acting on the inside bottomof the box during the pick-up and delivery thereof, the entire box isunder a positive, firm control while it is being picked up, transportedand delivered, and the bottom of the box will be adhered to the wrapevenly and firmly to provide a uniform adherence thereof to the wrapthroughout its entire area.

During the forward swinging movement of the side frame arms 75, 75', theslide 92 will be moved by hydraulic cylinder 95 in a directiondownstream and parallel to the conveyor travel. In so doing the framearms 75, 75' and the parts associated therewith will be moved downstreamand the beam 132 of the photosensor 131 will start to look for thetrailing edge 133 of the registered wrap. It will be understood that thetiming is such that the wrap will have moved downstream past, the pointwhere the photosensor can start its searching operation and will shortlycome to a stop at the spotting station G. As a result of thiscoordination of wrap search and box transfer and delivery it has beenfound the operation of a machine embodying the invention is materiallyfaster than the operation of prior known machines. It is when themovement of the wrap has ceased that the beam 132 of the photosensorwill locate the trailing edge 133 thereof. When this occurs, the arms75, 75' move the vacuum cups down the remainder of the distance to thebelt surface to press the bottom of the box carried thereby against theglued side of the registered wrap. During this pressing operation thevacuum to the cups 82 is cut off enabling them to release the box asthey are swung back by the arms 75, 75 to a position enabling them topick up the next box registered in pick-up position on the conveyor I.In the event that the beam 132 of the photosensor does not find the wrapby the time it comes to the end of its downstream range of movementeither because the wrap is missing, or so far out of register thatsomething is wrong, the solenoid latch 100 comes into operation toprevent the completion of the forward stroke or swinging movement of theframe arms 75, 75. When this occurs the box will be held in raisedposition above the belt run 14 until on a later cycle of the machine aproperly registered wrap moves under the box and the photosensor looksfor it in the manner above described and finds such wrap. In such asituation the staying machine H will be prevented from making anotherbox until the box held by the vacuum cups 82 has been deposited on aregistered wrap.

The box and wrap then proceed to the wrapping station D where a box stop130 engages the box and stops the box and wrap in proper position to betransferred to the wrapping machine. This may be accomplished by clamps141 constructed and operating in the manner disclosed in said Wolff etal. Pat. No. 2,958,267 to shift the gripped box assembly across theupper conveyor run 14 and into proper position in the wrapping machineF.

Considering now the electrical and hydraulic circuits shown in FIGS. 7and 8 of the drawings, it will be understood that the wrapping machineF, the hydraulic pump 150 for supplying hydraulic fluid to the lateralsearch cylinder 38 and the longitudinal search cylinder 95, the vacuumpump (not shown) for supplying vacuum to the box holding suction cups82, the vacuum pump (not shown) for supplying vacuum to the chamber orbox 12 in the manner disclosed in said Wolf et al. Pat. No. 2,958,267and a compressor (not shown) for supplying air under pressure to thewrap registering cups 53, are driven by separate motors 151-155,respectively, connected in the manner indicated through lines 156, 157and 158 to a source of 220 voltage, 60 cycle, three phase alternatingcurrent. Also connected to such source through the lines 156, 157 and158 is the normally closed relay 159 for controlling a one revolutionclutch solenoid 160 that controls the operation of the machine orsystem. So long as control relay 159 is not engaged, it keeps the onerevolution clutch engaged to prevent the machine from stopping. Lines156, 157 and 158 also connect to such source a normally open relay 161for controlling the vacuum release solenoid 162 that normally enablesvacuum to be furnished to the box vacuum cups 82. When control relay 161is closed to energize solenoid 162, the vacuum to the cups 82 is broken.Further connected to the source through lines 156, 157 and 158 is anormally open relay 163 that controls a wrapper trip solenoid 164. Whencontrol relay 163 is closed to energize solenoid 164 the cyle ofoperation of the wrapping machine F is started. Since the transfermechanism E and the box transporting apparatus J are all run by the samemotor 151 for the wrapping machine F, when the latter is thus startedup, the transfer mechanism E and the box transporting apparatus J willalso start their cycles of operation. The current supplied to thecircuit containing the control relays 159, 161 and 163 and theirassociated solenoids 160, 162 and 164, respectively, is passed through acontrol voltage transformer 165 which transforms the current supplied bythe source into a 110 voltage, 60 cycle, single phase current which isutilized to operate the circuits containing the other controls.

The portions of the control circuit operating on 110 voltage currentcomprises the push button switches for controlling the operations of themotors 151-155, the control relays for the lateral and longitudinal wrapsearches, the control relay which comes into operation when the boxtransporting apparatus J fails to pick up a box for delivery to aregistered wrap, and the relays for controlling the pneumatic system.The push button switches -174 for closing the circuits and starting themotors 151-155, respectively, are normally open switches of theinterlock contact type which when the buttons thereof are pushed toclosed position maintain the circuits controlled thereby closed eventhough the buttons are released The push button switch for controllingthe engagement of the clutch associated with the wrapping mechanism F isof a type similar to the switches 170-174. Associated with the pushbutton switches 170-175 are normally closed or stop push button switches170-175', respectively. These push button switches 170-175 are mountedin a housing 176 located at the front end of the machine, in front ofthe conveyor C, as is shown in FIG. 1. Provided in a second housing 177also located in front of the conveyor C is the programming mechanism.The hydraulic unit comprising pump, tank and three spring centeredhydraulic valves is enclosed in a housing 178 located just to the rearof the conveyor C.

It will be understood from the foregoing that when it is desired to putthe machine or system into operation, the push button switches 170-174are temporarily closed to start, respectively, the: motor 151 for thewrapper drive, the motor 152 for the hydraulic pump, the motor 153 forthe wrap vacuum pump, the motors 154 for the box vacuum pump, and themotor 155 for the blower drive. At the same time the push button switch175 is closed to energize a control relay 179 thereby actuating theclutch (not shown) to start the drives for operating the transfermechanism E, the wrapping machine F, the staying machine H and the boxtransporting apparatus J. Prior to the actuation of the push buttonswitches 170-175, a push button switch (not shown) is actuated to startthe gluer A which causes the conveyor C to start its intermittentadvancing movement of the belt run 14. The start of the box transportingapparatus J also starts the rotation of a shaft in the programmer 177'provided with cams for controlling the operation of a number ofprogramming switches -193. At zero degrees cam shaft time, the belt run14 in each cycle of the machine starts the travel of its set distanceand then comes to a dwell at a certain camshaft time. When the belt run14 stops in each period of dwell, the programming switch 186 is actuatedto close a control relay 184 and thereby start the previously describedlateral search by the photosensors 68 on the searching devices and 21.The start of this search by the two devices 20 and 21 is initiated withthe closing of control relay 184 having normally open contacts 184' and184", and normally closed contacts 184" and 184". When relay 184 isclosed, it energizes the solenoid values 195 and 196 controlling thehydraulic cylinders 38,38 to cause the latter to commence the advancingstrokes of the slidable rods 41. When the eyes or light beams 69 of thephotosensors 68 find the edge 70 of the wrap W the contacts 197, 197"and 198 and 198", respectively of two double pole relays 197 and 198associated with the photosensors 68 are opened to deenergize thehydraulic solenoid valves 195 and 196. This centers the valves, that is,blocks both sides of such valves, so that the hydraulic cylinders 38,38cannot be moved forward or backward. When the solenoid valves 195 and196 are deenergized, solenoid valve 196 closes to energize a controlrelay 200 having two normally open contacts 200 and 200 and a normallyclosed contact 200", to cause the opening of a path enabling vacuum toreach the vacuum suction cups 53 of the devices 20 and 21. At the sametime the energization of control relay 200 also causes the closing ofsolenoid valves 201 and 202 thereby energizing their associatedsolenoids 49,49 on the devices 20 and 21 to bring the suction cups 53down to positions enabling them to grip the wrap. Switch 186 then opens,deenergizing control relay 184 which reverses its contacts to cause theenergization of the solenoid valves 201 and 202, thereby causing thelateral search hydraulic cylinders to return to retracted position inwhich the edge 70 of the wrap W will be aligned with the reference line7171. Switch 190 then opens to deenergize control relay 200 which causesthe energization of vacuum control switch 203 and the deenergization ofvacuum control switch 204 thereby cutting the supply of vacuum to thecups 53 holding the wrap. At the same time switch 188 closes and causesthe energization of the compressed air solenoid valve 205 to introduceair under pressure to the suction cups 53 and thereby blow theregistered wrap W down against the conveyor run 14 where it will beretained in registered position on such run by the vacuum exercisedthrough the conveyor belt. Switch 193 which has remained closed whilesuction is provided in the cups 53 prevents the solenoids 49,49 frombeing deenergized. However, as soon as compressed air is delivered tothe cups 53, switch 193 opens, causing the deenergization of solenoids49,49 so that the cups 53 are biased upwardly by the springs 57,57mounted on the tubes 51,51 supporting such cups. The wrap which has thusbeen shifted by the devices 20,21 is repositioned in registeredcondition on the conveyor run 14.

In the next cycle of the machine the wrap so registered on the conveyorrun 14 is moved by the latter toward the adjacent spotting station G. Asthe registered wrap is moving into the spotting station G, but beforethe conveyor and such wrap has come to a complete stop in the next dwellperiod of the conveyor, and after the crank operated arms 75,75 havecommenced their forward stroke to bring a box over such arrivingregistered wrap, the switch 185 closes to energize a control relay 210having normally open contacts 210 and 210" and a normally closed contact210', thereby causing control relay 210 to be actuated to energize thesolenoid valve 211 controlling the longitudinal search hydrauliccylinder attached to the slide 92. The energization of valve 211 causescylinder 95 to start the longitudinal search for the edge 133 of theregistered wrap W which has passed the eye or beam 132 of thephotosensor 131. When the eye 132 finds the edge 133 of the registeredwrap, which occurs during the beginning of the next successive dwellperiod of the conveyor and while the wrap is in a stationary conditionat station G, contacts 212 of a double poled relay are actuated todeenergize the solenoid valve 211 and thereby lock the longitudinalsearch cylinder 95 and immobilize it. This causes contacts 212' of suchdouble poled relay to close thereby immediately energizing a controlrelay 213 having a normally open contacts 213' and when switch 191closes energizing control relay 214. When control relay 214 is energizedthe vacuum provided in the suction cups 82 holding the box B beingdelivered to station G is cut off and releases the box to the wrap. Aspreviously explained, this occurs immediately after the cups 82,82 havepressed the bottom of the box into adhering relation with the registeredwrap at station G. When control relays 210 and 213 are both energized,control relay 215 having a normally open contact 215 becomes energizedto prevent the drive clutch of the machine from becoming disengaged andpermitting the machine to continue with its cycle and complete theoperation of the box spotting apparatus I. When control relay 215 isclosed it creates a holding circuit through switch 189. The closedholding switch 189 opens momentarily to determined if the registeredwrap has been found. If such is the case nothing happens. But if thewrap has not been found by the longitudinal search mechanism, a onerevolution clutch solenoid is deenergized thereby releasing the clutchtrip and brining the main clutch shaft of the machine to a stop. Thisstops the operation of the crank arm 114 and the frame arms 75,75 willnot swing back, but will hold the box B in a raised condition,approximately one-half inch above the conveyor run 14, until the machinemakes its next cycle. If a wrap is then found in the next cycle themachine will continue its operation in that cycle and deliver the box soheld during the previous cycle. Switch then opens, deenergizing controlrelay 210 to cause the deenergization of solenoid valve 209, therebycausing the longitudinal search cylinder 95 to return to retractedposition, in position to start the next search.

It will be understood from the foregoing that prior to being picked upby the transport arms 75,75, the box is properly aligned by stop 11, 11which are so constructed and arranged that they engage the box at itsfront corners and low down adjacent to the score lines which form thejunctures between the bottom and sides of the box, to assure as accuratealignment as possible.

In the event a box is not picked up from the staying machine conveyor Iby the vacuum cups 82, because no box has come into registration againstthe stops 11,11, the resulting loss of vacuum through the open cups 82as the arms 75,75 start their forward stroke will cause the normallyclosed vacuum switch 192 to remain closed. Meanwhile, and shortly afterthe arms 75,75 have started their forward movement, switch 187 hasclosed thereby energizing control relay 217 having a normally opencontact 217 and solenoid 101 in FIG. 4. This causes solenoid 101 to movethe latch 100 into blocking position to stop the forward stroke of thearm 75 and thereby prevent the cups 82 from coming into contact with theadhesive on the wrap W at station G. When switch 187 closes it alsocloses contacts on control relay 217 to keep the solenoid 101 energizeduntil a box is picked up in a succeeding cycle of the machine, whereuponvacuum switch 192 will open to deenergize control relay 217 and removethe latch 100 thereby permitting the box so picked up to be delivered toa wrap at station G.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for automatically registering and combining two sheetmembers, comprising means for carrying a plurality of first sheetshaving adhesive thereon in spaced apart relation along a given path,means for successively repositioning said first sheets on said carryingmeans so that a given line extending lengthwise of said path on thesheet shifted is brought into registered alignment with a reference linelocated to one side of and in spaced parallel relation to thelongitudinal centerline of said carrying means, said repositioning meanscomprising a plurality of sensing means movable transversely of saidcarrying means and each capable of developing a signal when sensing saidgiven lengthwise line on a first sheet, means for moving said sensingmeans independently until each has found such given lengthwise line,said sensing means each having associated therewith means for gripping afirst sheet at different locations thereof when such given lengthwiseline has been found, and means for moving in coactive relation thegripping means associated with the sensing means to shift the grippedsheet until said given lengthwise line thereof is brought into alignmentwith said reference line, and means for searching in a directionlongitudinally of said path for a given line disposed transversely ofsaid path on such repositioned sheet and for depositing on such sheetwhen found a second sheet so as to bring both of such sheets intoadhesive face-toface relation.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said repositioning means islocated at one station along the path of movement of said carrying meansand said searching and depositing means is located at a followingstation along such path, and including means for depositing said firstsheets on said carrying means in an askew fashion with theirlongitudinal centerlines contained in a longitudinal area of given widthand having a longitudinal centerline located to the other side of and inspaced parallel relation to said longitudinal centerline of saidcarrying means, said first sheet when repositioned by said repositioningmeans having their longitudinal centerlines located to said one side ofand in spaced parallel relation to said longitudinal centerline of saidcarrying means during their travel on said carrying means from said onestation to said following station.

3. Apparatus for automatically registering and combining two sheetmembers, comprising means for carrying a plurality of first sheetshaving adhesive thereon in spaced apart relation along a given path,said carrying means including an endless perforated sheet carrier, andmeans for providing a suction condition at the sheet carrying surfce ofsaid carrier sufficient to hold the sheets adhered thereto, means forsuccessively repositioning said first sheets on said carrying means sothat a given line extending lengthwise of said path on the sheet beingshifted is brought into registered alignment with a reference linelocated to one side of and in spaced parallel relation to thelongitudinal centerline of said carrying means, means for reducing suchsuction condition at the sheet carrying surface of said carrier in thelocalized region of action of said repositioning means sufficient toenable the latter to shift said first sheets relative to such carriersurface to their repositioned locations, and means for searching in adirection longitudinally of said path for a given line disposedtransversely of said path on such repositioned sheet and for depositingon such sheet when found a second sheet so as to bring both of suchsheets into adhesive face-toface relation.

4. Apparatus for automatically registering and combining two sheetmembers, comprising means for carrying a plurality of first sheetshaving adhesive thereon in spaced apart relation along a given path,means for successively repositioning said first sheets on said carryingmeans so that a given line extending lengthwise of said path on thesheet being shifted is brought into regis tered alignment with areference line located to one side of and in spaced parallel relation tothe longitudi nal centerline of said carrying means, said repositioningmeans comprising a plurality of devices movable transversely of saidcarrying means and each provided with means for sensing and givenlengthwise line on a first sheet and means for gripping such sheet whensuch line has been found, first means for moving said devices independently until the sensing means of each has found such givenlengthwise line, second means for rendering said gripping means operableto grip the sheet when said sensing means have completed their search,and third means for moving said devices to shift the gripped sheet untilsaid given lengthwise line thereof is brought into alignment with saidreference line, and means for searching in a direction longitudinally ofsaid path for a given line disposed transversely of said path on suchrepositioned sheet and for depositing on such sheet when found a secondsheet so as to bring both of such sheets into adhesive face-to-facerelation.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, in which said gripping means on saiddevices comprise suction cups, means operable to advance said suctioncups from a retracted raised position to a position just above a firstsheet found by said sensing means and for providing a sufficient suctionin said cups to enable them to suck up and grip portions of the foundsheet.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, including means for providing apositive air pressure in said suction cups to free the gripped firstsheet therefrom when said sheet has become registered with saidreference line.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, including means operable to locksaid first means as soon as the sensing means thereof has found saidgiven lengthwise line, said third means controlling said first means andrendering the latter operable to move said devices simultaneously whenthe sensing means of both have found such line.

8. Apparatus for automatically registering and combining two sheetmembers, comprising means for carrying a plurality of first sheetshaving adhesive thereon in spaced apart relation along a given path,means for successively repositioning said first sheets on said carryingmeans so that a given line extending lengthwise of said path on thesheet being shifted is brought into registered alignment with areference line located to one side of and in spaced relation to thelongitudinal centerline of said carrying means, and means for searchingin a direction longitudinally of said path for a given line disposedtransversely of said path on such repositioned sheet and for depositingon such sheet when found a second sheet as as to bring both of suchsheets into adhesive face-to-face relation, said searching anddepositing means including means movable longitudinally of said path inthe direction of travel of said first repositioned sheet and providedwith means for sensing said given transverse line on such repositionedsheet, and means for transporting a second sheet from a pick-up sourcethereof to such first repositioned sheet and positively depositing suchsecond sheet on a first repositioned sheet found by said longitudinallymovable means.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, including means for simultaneouslymoving said longitudinally movable means and said transporting means sothat the searching of such first repositioned sheet and the transportingof said second sheet occur simultaneously.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, in which said carrying meansadvances said first sheet with a step-bystep movement, and includngmeans controlling the searching movement of said longitudinally movableso that the sensing carried thereby finds a repositioned first sheet atthe place for deposition of said second sheet during a dwell period inthe movement of said carrying means, and means operative to prevent thedeposition of a second sheet by said transporting means in he event saidlongitudinally movable means does not find a repositioned first sheet.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, in which said longitudinallymovable means comprises a slide carrying said sensing means and meansfor reciprocating said slide in directions parallel to said given path,and in which said transporting means is carried by said slide and ismounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said path, andmeans for pivotally moving said transporting means relative to saidslide.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, in which said pivotally movingmeans comprises a gear wheel connected to said transporting means andmovable about the pivotal axis of the latter, a vertically disposed rackengaging said gear wheel, means for vertically reciprocating said rack,and a universal connection between said rack and reciprocating means.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, in which said reciprocating meanscomprises a vertically disposed cam rod offset from said rack, a guided,vertically slidable member connected to the lower end of said cam rod,and means for reciprocating said slidable member, and in which saiduniversal connection comprises a member connected to the upper end ofsaid cam rod and projecting laterally therefrom, a member connected tothe lower end of sid rack and projecting laterally therefrom, and meanshingedly connecting the projecting ends of said members together toprovide for swinging movement of said rack about a vertical axis.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, in which said pivotally movingmeans comprises a first member connected to said transporting means andmovable about the pivotal axis of the latter, a reciprocating memberoperatively connected to said first member, means for actuating saidreciprocating member to pivotally move said first member, and auniversal connection between said reciprocating member and saidactuating means.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, including means operative tointerrupt the pivotal movement of said transporting means, and lostmotion coupling means connecting said first member to said transportingmeans to permit an overstroke of said first member by said reciprocatingmember on interruption of said transporting means.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, including means for registeringsaid second sheets at a place to be picked-up by said searching anddepositing means, and in which said transporting means comprises meansfor gripping a registered second sheet at said place of pick up at alocalized area thereof within the area defined by the edges of suchsecond sheet and for positively pressing the gripped second sheet intoengagement with a registered first sheet at the place of depositionthereof.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, including a box-staying machine,and conveyor means for successively delivering boxes from said machineto said place of pickup, and in which said registering means includesstops at the delivery end of said conveyor means to properly align theleading box for pick-up and being constructed and arranged to engage thealigned box at its front corners adjacent to the bottom of such box, andin which said gripping means engages the inside surface of the boxbottom to transport and deposit the same.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, in which said gripping meanscomprise suction cups connected to a source of suction, saidtransporting means comprising pivotal means, vacuum cup supporting meansprovided on said pivotal means, means for oscillating said pivotal meansfoom said place of pick-up to said place of deposition, and means forrotating said vacuum cup supporting means during the advancing stroke ofsaid pivotal means to maintain a second sheet carried by said suctioncups substantially parallel to a first registered sheet on said carryingmeans throughout the extent of such stroke.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18, including means controlled by thevacuum condition in said suction cups for interrupting the advancingmovement of said pivotal means and preventing the suction cups fromengaging with a registered first sheet in the event such suction cupsare not griping a second sheet.

1. Apparatus for automatically registering and combining two sheetmembers, comprising means for carrying a plurality of first sheetshaving adhesive thereon in spaced apart relation along a given path,means for successively repositioning said first sheets on said carryingmeans so that a given line extending lengthwise of said path on thesheet shifted is brought into registered alignment with a reference linelocated to one side of and in spaced parallel relation to thelongitudinal centerline of said carrying means, said repositioning meanscomprising a plurality of sensing means movable transversely of saidcarrying means and each capable of developing a signal when sensing saidgiven lengthwise line on a first sheet, means for moving said sensingmeans independently until each has found such given lengthwise line,said sensing means each having associated therewith means for gripping afirst sheet at different locations thereof when such given lengthwiseline has been found, and means for moving in coactive relation thegripping means associated with the sensing means to shift the grippedsheet until said given lengthwise line thereof is brought into alignmentwith said reference line, and means for searching in a directionlongitudinally of said path for a given line disposed transversely ofsaid path on such repositioned sheet and for depositing on such sheetwhen found a second sheet so as to bring both of such sheets intoadhesive face-to-face relation.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, inwhich said repositioning means is located at one station along the pathof movement of said carrying means and said searching and depositingmeans is located at a following station along such path, and includingmeans for depositing said first sheets on said carrying means in anaskew fashion with their longitudinal centerlines contained in alongitudinal area of given width and having a longitudinal centerlinelocated to the other side of and in spaced parallel relation to saidlongitudinal centerline of said carrying means, said first sheet whenrepositioned by said repositioning means having their longitudinalcenterlines located to said one side of and in spaced parallel relationto said longitudinal centerline of said carrying means during theirtravel on said carrying means from said one station to said followingstation.
 3. Apparatus for automatically registering and combining twosheet members, comprising means for carrying a plurality of first sheetshaving adhesive thereon in spaced apart relation along a given path,said carrying means including an endless perforated sheet carrier, andmeans for providing a suction condition at the sheet carrying surfce ofsaid carrier sufficient to hold the sheets adhered thereto, means forsuccessively repositioning said first sheets on said carrying means sothat a given line extending lengthwise of said path on the sheet beingshifted is brought into registered alignment with a reference linelocated to one side of and in spaced parallel relation to thelongitudinal centerline of said carrying means, means for reducing suchsuction condition at the sheet carrying surface of said carrier in thelocalized region of action of said repositioning means sUfficient toenable the latter to shift said first sheets relative to such carriersurface to their repositioned locations, and means for searching in adirection longitudinally of said path for a given line disposedtransversely of said path on such repositioned sheet and for depositingon such sheet when found a second sheet so as to bring both of suchsheets into adhesive face-to-face relation.
 4. Apparatus forautomatically registering and combining two sheet members, comprisingmeans for carrying a plurality of first sheets having adhesive thereonin spaced apart relation along a given path, means for successivelyrepositioning said first sheets on said carrying means so that a givenline extending lengthwise of said path on the sheet being shifted isbrought into registered alignment with a reference line located to oneside of and in spaced parallel relation to the longitudinal centerlineof said carrying means, said repositioning means comprising a pluralityof devices movable transversely of said carrying means and each providedwith means for sensing and given lengthwise line on a first sheet andmeans for gripping such sheet when such line has been found, first meansfor moving said devices independently until the sensing means of eachhas found such given lengthwise line, second means for rendering saidgripping means operable to grip the sheet when said sensing means havecompleted their search, and third means for moving said devices to shiftthe gripped sheet until said given lengthwise line thereof is broughtinto alignment with said reference line, and means for searching in adirection longitudinally of said path for a given line disposedtransversely of said path on such repositioned sheet and for depositingon such sheet when found a second sheet so as to bring both of suchsheets into adhesive face-to-face relation.
 5. Apparatus as defined inclaim 4, in which said gripping means on said devices comprise suctioncups, means operable to advance said suction cups from a retractedraised position to a position just above a first sheet found by saidsensing means and for providing a sufficient suction in said cups toenable them to suck up and grip portions of the found sheet. 6.Apparatus as defined in claim 5, including means for providing apositive air pressure in said suction cups to free the gripped firstsheet therefrom when said sheet has become registered with saidreference line.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, including meansoperable to lock said first means as soon as the sensing means thereofhas found said given lengthwise line, said third means controlling saidfirst means and rendering the latter operable to move said devicessimultaneously when the sensing means of both have found such line. 8.Apparatus for automatically registering and combining two sheet members,comprising means for carrying a plurality of first sheets havingadhesive thereon in spaced apart relation along a given path, means forsuccessively repositioning said first sheets on said carrying means sothat a given line extending lengthwise of said path on the sheet beingshifted is brought into registered alignment with a reference linelocated to one side of and in spaced relation to the longitudinalcenterline of said carrying means, and means for searching in adirection longitudinally of said path for a given line disposedtransversely of said path on such repositioned sheet and for depositingon such sheet when found a second sheet as as to bring both of suchsheets into adhesive face-to-face relation, said searching anddepositing means including means movable longitudinally of said path inthe direction of travel of said first repositioned sheet and providedwith means for sensing said given transverse line on such repositionedsheet, and means for transporting a second sheet from a pick-up sourcethereof to such first repositioned sheet and positively depositing suchsecond sheet on a first repositioned sheet found by said longitudinallyMovable means.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, including means forsimultaneously moving said longitudinally movable means and saidtransporting means so that the searching of such first repositionedsheet and the transporting of said second sheet occur simultaneously.10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, in which said carrying meansadvances said first sheet with a step-by-step movement, and includngmeans controlling the searching movement of said longitudinally movableso that the sensing carried thereby finds a repositioned first sheet atthe place for deposition of said second sheet during a dwell period inthe movement of said carrying means, and means operative to prevent thedeposition of a second sheet by said transporting means in he event saidlongitudinally movable means does not find a repositioned first sheet.11. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, in which said longitudinallymovable means comprises a slide carrying said sensing means and meansfor reciprocating said slide in directions parallel to said given path,and in which said transporting means is carried by said slide and ismounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said path, andmeans for pivotally moving said transporting means relative to saidslide.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, in which said pivotallymoving means comprises a gear wheel connected to said transporting meansand movable about the pivotal axis of the latter, a vertically disposedrack engaging said gear wheel, means for vertically reciprocating saidrack, and a universal connection between said rack and reciprocatingmeans.
 13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, in which said reciprocatingmeans comprises a vertically disposed cam rod offset from said rack, aguided, vertically slidable member connected to the lower end of saidcam rod, and means for reciprocating said slidable member, and in whichsaid universal connection comprises a member connected to the upper endof said cam rod and projecting laterally therefrom, a member connectedto the lower end of sid rack and projecting laterally therefrom, andmeans hingedly connecting the projecting ends of said members togetherto provide for swinging movement of said rack about a vertical axis. 14.Apparatus as defined in claim 11, in which said pivotally moving meanscomprises a first member connected to said transporting means andmovable about the pivotal axis of the latter, a reciprocating memberoperatively connected to said first member, means for actuating saidreciprocating member to pivotally move said first member, and auniversal connection between said reciprocating member and saidactuating means.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, including meansoperative to interrupt the pivotal movement of said transporting means,and lost motion coupling means connecting said first member to saidtransporting means to permit an overstroke of said first member by saidreciprocating member on interruption of said transporting means. 16.Apparatus as defined in claim 8, including means for registering saidsecond sheets at a place to be picked-up by said searching anddepositing means, and in which said transporting means comprises meansfor gripping a registered second sheet at said place of pick-up at alocalized area thereof within the area defined by the edges of suchsecond sheet and for positively pressing the gripped second sheet intoengagement with a registered first sheet at the place of depositionthereof.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, including a box-stayingmachine, and conveyor means for successively delivering boxes from saidmachine to said place of pick-up, and in which said registering meansincludes stops at the delivery end of said conveyor means to properlyalign the leading box for pick-up and being constructed and arranged toengage the aligned box at its front corners adjacent to the bottom ofsuch box, and in which said gripping means engages the inside surface ofthe box bottom to transport and deposiT the same.
 18. Apparatus asdefined in claim 16, in which said gripping means comprise suction cupsconnected to a source of suction, said transporting means comprisingpivotal means, vacuum cup supporting means provided on said pivotalmeans, means for oscillating said pivotal means foom said place ofpick-up to said place of deposition, and means for rotating said vacuumcup supporting means during the advancing stroke of said pivotal meansto maintain a second sheet carried by said suction cups substantiallyparallel to a first registered sheet on said carrying means throughoutthe extent of such stroke.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18,including means controlled by the vacuum condition in said suction cupsfor interrupting the advancing movement of said pivotal means andpreventing the suction cups from engaging with a registered first sheetin the event such suction cups are not griping a second sheet.